Prime Minister Theresa May will be visiting a hospital in Cambridgeshire today (April 10) to announce new funding to tackle prostate cancer.

During her visit to the county, the PM will set out a £75m plan to launch new research to tackle the disease that affects one in eight men and claims 10,000 lives a year‎.

The plan will focus on early diagnosis, innovative new treatments and care for men with prostate cancer. The PM will also discuss long-term plans for the NHS with hospital staff.

As part of the new plans to help thousands of men with prostate cancer get treated earlier and faster, more than 40,000 men will be recruited into prostate cancer studies over the next five years.

Theresa May last visited Cambridge in 2016, when she toured the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus at Hinxton and announced a £2bn Government investment to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of science and technology.

Ahead of the visit, Theresa May said: “Too many people endure the loss of a loved one because cancer diagnosis comes too late in the day.

“Our cancer treatments are world class and survival rates are at a record high, but prostate cancer still claims thousands of lives every year.

“I know we can do more. That’s why I am setting out new plans to help thousands of men get treated earlier and faster.”

Working to progress a long-term NHS plan

The Prime Minister will also meet NHS staff during the visit to Cambridgeshire – the first in a series of discussions as the Government works with the health service to develop a long-term plan for the NHS.

Theresa May will be visiting Cambridgeshire today (April 10)

The announcement comes as the Prime Minister confirmed the Government will come forward with a fully funded, long-term plan for the NHS this year – the year of the service’s 70th birthday - in conjunction with NHS leaders, clinicians and health experts.

She continued: “Now in its 70th year, our NHS has a bright future – since last November, we have already committed £10 billion in new funding, including a new pay deal for one million NHS workers.

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The new prostate cancer studies will particularly target higher risk groups including black men – one in four of whom will develop the disease – as well as men aged 50 or over and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

More than 40,000 patients will be recruited for more than 60 studies in prostate cancer, to test treatments including more precise radiotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, alongside supportive interventions including exercise and dietary advice.

"This prostate cancer research means many more lives are saved"

Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Prostate cancer claims too many lives every year and our ability to detect and treat it in the very early stages is crucial in fighting this disease.

“The plans announced today will refocus our efforts to develop new treatments and will give men with prostate cancer, and their families, hope of survival.

“The NHS is a world leader in fighting cancer and survival rates are at record highs but there is still more to do - this research will ensure that many more lives are saved.”

Facts about prostate cancer

According to Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.

More than 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that's 129 men every day.

Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that's more than 11,000 men every year.

One in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Men aged 50 or over, men with a family history of prostate cancer and black men are more at risk of getting prostate cancer.

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Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and it is now the third most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK.

“However, with increased research investment used wisely, over the next few years we can turn this around and make prostate cancer a disease men no longer need to fear. This is what Prostate Cancer UK is striving for through our ambitious research programme.

(Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

“The funding announcement shows a very welcome and positive commitment from the Government to play a key role in getting men the early and accurate diagnosis and treatments for prostate cancer they deserve.

“It at last shows recognition of what a huge issue prostate cancer is and the focus needed to stop it being a killer.

“We look forward to finding out more about the plans laid out by the Prime Minister. By working together and pooling our resources we will be able to save more lives more quickly and build a better future for men.”